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Firecracker 50 And Close Point Battles On Tap
At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway is preparing for another action-packed All Star Racing Series event this Saturday night. The A Modified division is back, and this week they will be running a 50 lap Main Event for $1,000 to win. They also have a close championship battle. The point race is also close in the B Modified class, and other divisions on the card this week include the Wingless Spec Sprints, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models.
The lure of the money is sure to attract some top competitors to the A Modified race. They don't get much faster then reigning Antioch Speedway champion Nick DeCarlo. DeCarlo opened the season with back-to-back wins. Though he's not pursuing a serious point run this year, DeCarlo used a second place finish last time out to move into third in the standings. Not far behind him is another Main Event winner from this season, Chester Kniss.
It's Chester son who has everybody talking. Young Buddy Kniss, who recently graduated high school, has been off to a strong start this season. He began the season with five consecutive Top 5 efforts, including a first career feature win. After running well enough to maintain his lead in the standings for a couple of races, Buddy returned to the Top 5 with a fourth place effort last week. He leads Danny Wagner in a championship battle that is still too close for comfort.
Like Buddy, Wagner has a victory this year, but his recent two efforts have yielded less than desired results. Racing luck can change from week-to-week, and Wagner is hoping for better things this time around. Reigning Petaluma champion Oreste Gonella showed up last week and picked up the feature win. He and multi-time Petaluma champion Michael Paul Jr would certainly be two drivers to watch this week in the battle for victory. Other competitors who could be in the field include rookie Frank Furtado, Sean Wilson, Brian Pearce and Gary Hetrick.
The closest battle at the track right now is for the B Modified championship. Both Tommy Fraser and Brent Curran are four-time winners, and they are currently tied for the lead. During his off week, Curran made a trip to Medford, Oregon and ended up coming from the back to finish fourth in a big field of cars. Curran is coming off of a controversial win at the most recent event, where he and race long leader Chris Sieweke had some contact in the final turn. Sieweke ended up second, and as a feature winner last year, you have to believe he would be a threat to win this week if he returns.
Beating Curran and Fraser for a win at Antioch doesn't seem to be an easy proposition these days. The previous winner's clause that puts that driver no better than tenth in the starting order at the next race means that Curran will start in the back, but Fraser will probably start further up and be that much harder to beat. One driver who could emerge with a victory at any time is two-time champion Trevor Clymens. Clymens is already a feature winner this year.
Third in the standings has turned out to be quite a battle. Through the years, we've heard about his brother Ron Brown and even Randy Brown, but Kevin Brown hasn't gotten as much glory. He's been more behind-the-scenes helping his brothers. This year Kevin is having an impressive season with four Top 5 finishes. He leads rookie Cameron Swank by just four points in the race for third. Swank has finished as high as second with six Top 5 efforts, but the past two weeks haven't been as kind to him.
There are some good drivers in the field hoping to crack into the winner's column, and two drivers to keep an eye on this week are fifth-ranked Tommy Clymens Jr and reigning Limited Late Model champion Mark Garner. Todd Gomez, Haley Gomez, Kenny Shrader and Tim Rolan will certainly make their presence known anytime they are at the track.
Shannon Newton has been leading the Wingless Spec Sprint battle from the start on the strength of four consecutive wins to start the season. However, the last two weeks have seen him humbled just a little bit by the reigning champion, Bob Newberry. Newberry has posted back-to-back victories, including his win ahead of Newton last week. Newton had led several laps last time before being overtaken by Newberry on a restart. The Newton lead is still at around 30 points over Roy Fisher, who has two seconds and two thirds among his best efforts.
Fisher continues to maintain an advantage of over 30 points on Rick Panfili in the battle for third. It didn't change much last week as Panfili scored a fourth place finish ahead of Fisher. Panfili was just happy to get to the finish line after being eliminated in the crash that saw Jeff Scotto flip at the previous race. Scotto's luck didn't get any better as he was unable to start the most recent race. Scotto will be out to turn his luck around this time, and other drivers to watch for include Mackenzie Newton, Troy Ferry and Dustin Maibes.
Breanna Troen has to be wondering what she needs to do to get a win in the Hobby Stock division this year. Though she has led several laps, victory has been elusive to the second-year competitor. She does have nine Top 5 finishes in nine starts this year, including three season-high third place finishes. With that kind of consistency, you would think she was either leading the points or very close, but Breanna finds herself trailing Josh Leach for second in the standings.
Leach might be another driver wondering what he needs to do to be in the point lead. With two wins, a second and four thirds among his best efforts, you're looking at numbers that might have him leading the standings in most divisions. However, the season Chris Sorensen is having leaves little doubt who the leader is. Sorensen has racked up an impressive five feature wins and four seconds in his nine starts. If he's not winning, he's making the driver who does win work for that victory.
Seeing how fast Sorensen has been this year, two-time B Modified champion Trevor Clymens jumped at the opportunity to buy the Anthony Welborn car. He has a second and a third in his last three starts and seems poised to get a win. Another driver looking good is James Thomson, who had a career-best second place effort two races ago. Rookie Jacob Mallet Jr has one fourth and one fifth in his last three starts.
Though Mallet has looked good, the top rookie in the battle so far is Will Buirch. Buirch finished sixth last week to maintain his lead over Ken Johns for fifth and top rookie honors. This duo is poised to have a big night at the speedway. Other drivers to watch for include Luke Brignoli, John Wacht, Dalton Jewell and Jeff Betancourt.
Jim Freethy and Kimo Oreta are dueling for the Limited Late Model lead. It was Oreta driving the Sundrop Racing #15 car to his second win last week, but Freethy used a runner-up finish and heat race victory to maintain his lead in the standings. Freethy also has a pair of wins. Michael Burch took fourth last time out to reclaim third in the standings, but it's still close between he, John Evans and Chad Hammer in that battle. Hammer gained slightly with a season-best third. These five could be there this week, and others to watch for include Jimmy Robbins and Mike Gustafson.
The Firecracker 50 should be another exciting A Modified race. With the other four divisions on the card, there will be plenty of action on tap at the speedway this Saturday night. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Gonella, Newberry, Sorensen Win At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...June 22... Oreste Gonella won the 20 lap All Star Racing Series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Gonella is the reigning champion at Petaluma Speedway. After three restarts for various spins and tangles, Gonella charged into the lead from his front row starting position. Reigning champion Nick DeCarlo made an inside pass on Trevor Clymens for second on lap two, and Clymens surrendered third to Duane Cleveland on lap four. DeCarlo ran closely behind Gonella, and the battle was about to get interesting as they were approaching a group of four cars to put them a lap down. Moments later, a lap 11 yellow flag waved. Gonella continued to set the pace on the restart with DeCarlo shadowing his every move. However, Gonella stayed cool under pressure and scored the well-earned victory in front of DeCarlo. Cleveland finished third. Point leader Buddy Kniss started back in 11th and charged to a fourth place finish ahead of Clymens.
Bob Newberry won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. This was the second win in a row for the reigning division champion. Point leader Shannon Newton started on the front row and charged into the early lead with Rick Panfili settling into second. A low pass in Turn 2 of the third lap gained Newberry second. Newton held about a straightaway advantage by then, and Newberry set about trying to reel him in. Newberry caught a break when a yellow flag flew for a McKenzie Newton spin in Turn 2 on lap 12. Newberry got a run on Shannon Newton on the restart lap. As they went through Turns 3 and 4 to complete the lap, Newberry moved to the inside of Newton and made the pass for the lead. Newberry would lead the remaining eight laps for the victory as Shannon Newton settled for second, followed by Dustin Maibes, Panfili and Roy Fisher.
Chris Sorensen won an exciting 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the fifth win for the point leader, and it came in a race that went without a yellow flag for the entire distance. Still looking for her first win of the season, Breanna Troen took the lead from Natalie Perry on the second lap with Trevor Clymens and Sorensen quickly settling into second and third. Troen had a pretty good lead going until the tenth lap when a slower car spun in front of her, allowing Clymens and Sorensen to close in behind her. Troen still led until getting a little sideways in Turn 2 of the 14th lap as Clymens moved around on the outside. Sorensen quickly followed into second and kept the pressure on Clymens. On the 18th lap, Sorensen made an inside pass in Turn 4 to gain the lead. Sorensen went on to victory, followed by Clymens, Josh Leach, Troen and Jacob Mallett Jr.
Travis Dutra won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. Giovanni Bertoli led the first four laps of the race ahead of Kevin Miraglio. An exciting three-wide move exiting Turn 4 of the fifth lap saw Dutra take the high side for the lead. A lap seven yellow flag waved as Miraglio spun out of second, collecting Mario Marques. At that moment, point leader Scott Dahlgren was running second. Dutra led that restart and the remainder of the race with Dahlgren not too far behind in second. Troy Stevenson finished third, followed by Bertolli and Chris Becker.
Kimo Oreta won the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. This was the second win of the season for the 2017 division champion aboard the Sun Drop Racing #15 car. Oreta had the lead from the outset and proceeded to lead the entire distance. Point leader Jim Freethy took second from Chad Hammer on the second lap and chased Oreta the rest of the way for a second place finish. Hammer settled for third, followed by Michael Burch and John Evans.
The All Star Racing Series A Modifieds return next Saturday night for the $1,000 to win Firecracker 50. Also competing will be the Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Results
All Star Racing Series Antioch Speedway
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Duane Cleveland, Danny Wagner, Nick DeCarlo. Main Event (20 laps)-Oreste Gonella, Nick DeCarlo, Duane Cleveland, Buddy Kniss, Trevor Clymens, Thomas Martin, Tim Yeager, Tim Balding, Justin Yeager, Freddie Plourde III.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Josh Leach, Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 laps)-Chris Sorensen, Trevor Clymens, Josh Leach, Brianna Troen, Jacob Mallett Jr, Will Buirch, James Thomson, Natalie Perry, Alfred Johnson, Ken Johns.
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton. Main Event (20 laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton, Dustin Maibes, Rick Panfili, Roy Fisher, Keith Calvino, Troy Ferry, McKenzie Newton, Jeff Scotto NS.
Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Jim Freethy. Main Event (20 laps)-Kimo Oreta, Jim Freethy, Chad Hammer, Michael Burch, John Evans, Mike Gustafson NS.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Kevin Miraglio. Main Event (20 laps)-Travis Dutra, Scott Dahlgren, Mike Corsaro, Troy Stevenson, Giovanni Bertoli, Chris Becker, Mario Marques, Timmy Ryan, Kevin Miraglio, Sean Catucci.
Albright, Rodriguez, Short Win At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...June 22...Dakota Albright won the 20 lap BCRA Midget Lites Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. The occasion was the Seventh Annual Wayne Albright Memorial race, honoring the past BCRA champion. The win also paid $1,035 from the increased purse. The field also included several top competitors from the Southern California based California Lightning Sprint group.
Albright had his hands full, despite starting on the outside front row of the Main Event. Bobby Michnowicz started inside the second row in his quest for a fourth win in this big race. It was a good battle at the front of the pack, joined by past BCRA Midget Lites champion Scott Kinney. When the checkered flag waved, Albright got the win ahead of Michnowicz and Kinney. Craig Holsted came from 10th to finish fourth, followed by Jacob Williams, Hunter Kinney, Jimmy Riddell, James Turnboll, Jeff Dyer and Doug Nunes. Eight lap heat race wins went to Hunter Kinney, his father Scott Kinney and Terry Bergstrom.
Three-time Street Stock champion Darren Thomas finally made his season debut in the 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event, but it was multi-time division champion Raul "Showtime" Rodriguez picking up the win. Thomas drew the pole for the Main Event, but he faced some intense competition from Rodriguez, 2016 champion Michael Shearer and point leader Shannon Nelson. Rodriguez ended up taking the lead and holding off Nelson for the victory. Shearer finished third, followed by rookie Timmy Crews, Donnie Shearer, Allen Neal, Thomas, John Hensley, Kristie Shearer and Austin Van Hoff. Heat race wins went to Thomas and Michael Shearer.
Dwayne Short won the 20 lap California Sportsman Main Event. Short also won the eight lap heat race ahead of division point leader Rick Elliott, putting the duo on the front row for the Main Event. Short charged into the lead and would hold off Elliott for his first win of the season. Two-time division champion Mike Friesen settled for third, followed by Jeff West, Gary Hildebrand and reigning champion Jerry Cecil.
Riley Jeppesen won the 20 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. In the process, he snapped a three-race winning streak for Timmy Crews. Jeppesen raced into the lead at the start, but it was Crews who ended up giving him the pressure in the second position. Jeppesen would still hold on to beat Crews as Jeremiah Enriquez, Logan Clay and Carson Guthrie completed the Top 5. Enriquez captured his first eight lap heat race win.
The speedway will be dark this Saturday night, but they are coming back for a special Fireworks Spectacular event on July 6th. In a tradition started by past promoter Chuck Griffin, the grandstands will be free for the fans. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will be competing along with the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and the California Sharp Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.
Sprint Car Challenge Tour Comes To Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...Petaluma Speedway will be hosting another Sunday night program this weekend. It's the return of the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards. It will also be a two-race weekend for the tour as they compete at Placerville Speedway a night earlier, which resulted in Petaluma staying dark that night that night. Joining the Sprint Cars on the special Sunday night card will be the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros.
In three short years, the Sprint Car Challenge Tour has become the premier Winged 360 Sprint Car group in California. The group generally averages between 35 and 40 competitors at each event. It's not too much of a surprise to see Kyle Hirst leading the standings. Hirst has a 22 point advantage on Tim Kaeding. However, it might be surprising to some to find that Hirst has yet to get a feature victory in the six races held so far. In fact, he was shut out of the Top 5 in the first four races and enters this race on the heels of back-to-back season-best third place efforts.
The Sprint Cars have held six events at five different venues. Their most recent race at Keller Auto Speedway went to fourth-ranked DJ Netto with Justin Sanders, Kyle Hirst, Tim Kaeding and brother Bud Kaeding in pursuit. Rico Abreu won the race at Tulare Thunderbowl. Andy Forsberg opened things with a win at Placerville and the big money went to Giovanni Scelzi at Stockton. It was the Asparagus Cup event, and by winning the Main Events on Friday and Saturday that weekend, he pocketed $25,000.
The first Petaluma visit back in April went to Shane Golobic in a battle with local standout Chase Johnson and Geoff Ensign. This trio is anticipated for the show, and other local standouts such as John Clark, Colby Johnson, William Fatu and Brett Rollag could be there along with tour competitors such as Kalib Henry, Colby Copeland, Justyn Cox and Blake Carrick
The last time the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprints were in action, it was Nick Robfogel scoring the win. He's won two of the three events held so far, but the consistent Justin Adiego is only one point behind him. Adiego is the only driver in the field with three Top 5 finishes. Meanwhile, Kyle Grissom is the other driver with a feature win this season, 14 points out of the lead and eight ahead of Rob Brown. Dwarf Car star Carroll Mendenhall is nine points behind Grissom. Other drivers to watch for this week include Sam Borland, Cody Gray, Brian Sllubik, Jenna Perkins and Amber Fields.
Sunday night's racing program will be just the thing for Sprint Car enthusiasts. The competition will be fierce and there will be plenty of race cars. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Terrell, Foulger, Machado Win
Petaluma Speedway Fairtime Races
Petaluma, CA...June 23...Bradley Terrell won the 25 lap PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event Sunday night at Petaluma Speedway. This was the annual race during the Sonoma-Marin County Fair, and it was also the third win of the season for Terrell. Terrell had the pole for the Main Event, but it was recent winner Cody Fendley charging into the lead at the waving of the green flag. Fendley held the first position until Terrell was able to make a move around him on lap 15. Terrell set a good pace and seemed to be heading for victory when a final yellow flag waved on lap 23. Undaunted, Terrell resumed his rapid pace on the restart and brought it home to a satisfying victory. Fendley settled for second, followed by Geoff Ensign, Boy Moniz, Angelique Bell, Shayna Sylvia, Sparky Howard, Keith Calvino, Scott Chapetta and Ryon Siverling.
Fendley set the fast time on the 3/8 mile adobe oval with a lap of 14.954, beating the 15.047 of Terrell. There were three eight lap heat races, and wins went to Sylvia, Terrell and Ensign.
Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Foulger is currently leading the point standings at Merced Speedway, but he won three features in his visits to Petaluma Speedway last season aboard the Billy Bowers owned Modified. Foulger started back in 10th and was already up to fourth on lap four before a yellow flag waved. Jeff Thomas took the lead from Ray Trimble on the restart, but he surrendered the lead to Foulger on lap nine. Foulger set a rapid pace and had a straightaway advantage over Thomas by lap 15. A yellow flag on lap 23 gave Thomas one more shot at Foulger, but Foulger resumed command on the restart to score the impressive win. Thomas settled for second, followed by Trimble, Justin Yeager, Michelle Paul, Oreste Gonella, Jeremy Krebs, Mitch Machado, Joel Myers and Anthony Giuliani. Eight lap heat race wins went to Foulger and Myers.
Mitch Machado won the 25 lap Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock Main Event. Machado had a front row start and wasted little time getting the lead ahead of Steve Studebaker. Machado led Studebaker through a pair of yellow flags during the first half of the race and drove the Baker Motorsports entry to the victory. Studebaker settled for second, followed by previous feature winner Matt While, Tim O'Hara, Shawn McCoy, Manny Avila, Sid Hess, Austin Ohlinger and Gary Adams. The Super Stocks got a rare qualifying opportunity, and Machado had the fastest lap of 18.260. He also won his eight lap heat race with Studebaker winning the other heat.
Coming up next Sunday will be a special appearance by the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, presented by Abreu Vineyards. The Santa Rosa Auto Body Micro Sprints will run a support program. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Taco Bravo Sprint Cars Headline Exciting Show
At Watsonville Friday Night
Watsonville, CA...Friday night, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars will be back in action at Ocean Speedway for their eighth event of the season. There will be plenty of excitement on the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval as the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Police N Pursuit cars take their turns on the track.
The Taco Bravo Sprint Cars continue to have a close championship battle. Following his fourth place finish last time out, James Ringo moved into a tie with the consistent Jeremy Chisum for the point lead. Ringo has four Top 5 efforts, which is second to Bud Kaeding and Justin Sanders, who each have five. Kaeding and Sanders are not chasing points this season, but Sanders won the most recent race for his second victory of the season. Kaeding has picked up three wins so far.
Ringo and Chisum aren't the only ones in the battle this year. One time feature winner Kurt Nelson and 2018 runner up Koen Shaw are also within striking distance. Nelson is 21 points back, while Shaw trails by 29 points. Shaw was a feature winner last season, but he is still looking for his first win this year. Other drivers to watch for this week including Jason Chisum, Jake Andreotti, Richard Fajardo, three-time reigning champion Brad Furr and Kyler Shaw.
The IMCA Modified race continues to be a battle between the Burke brothers. Reigning champion Cody Burke leads Austin Burke by just two tallies. Cody also has two feature wins. Behind the lead duo is past champion Jim Pettit II. Pettit has a win to his credit this year, and he's only 11 points out of the lead, five ahead of the surprising Anthony Copeland. Many-time Late Model champion Jeff Decker currently holds fifth in the standings, but he's looking for his first win of the season. Other drivers looking for victory include Robert Marsh, Brian Cass, Raymond Keldsen Jr and rookie Anthony Giuliani.
Adrianne Frost is in the midst of an impressive season in the IMCA Sport Modifieds. The two-time Four Banger champion has two wins to her credit this season and leads Jarrod Mounce by 16 points. Mounce has steadily climbed his way up the ladder, and his win in the most recent race moved him into second in the standings, one point ahead of IMCA State point leader Guy Ahlwardt. Ahlwardt is also a feature winner at Watsonville. Other drivers to contend with include Austin Williams, Max Baggett, Charlie Hunter, Justin McPherson and Randy Miller.
Last time the Hobby Stocks ran, Gallaher scored the victory. It's no surprise to see the name at the top of the list, but in this case it wasn't point leader Rob Gallaher claiming another win. It was his father, Joe Gallaher, picking up his first career victory. Four-time winner Rob leads Joe by 24 points in the championship chase, while past champion Wally Kennedy is 43 points out. Getting a win with the Gallaher team on the track can be difficult, but DJ Keldsen, Nick Triolo, Bobby Huckaby Jr, Tony Oliveira and Bobby Huckaby Sr are certainly threats to get the job done.
Several law enforcement units will be getting back behind the wheel to do some racing this Friday night in the Police N Pursuit class. There have been three races held so far, and Scotts Valley Police Department representative John Hohmann, Cliff Sloma of the Capitola Police Department and California Highway Patrolman Jessie Mueller are the three drivers with wins. Hohmann leads Roy Iler by 10 points and the tied Sloma and Justin Rhodes by 18. They've been getting good fields when they've been on the schedule, and that's again expected to be the case this week.
The Friday night program well give the fans plenty of exciting, side by side racing in the five-division lineup. It should be another good show. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Scelzi Wins Pombo-Sargent Classic At Ocean Speedway
Watsonville, CA...June 21...Dominic Scelzi won the NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. The 30 lap race was also the 33rd Annual Pombo-Sargent Classic, which pays tribute to two of the greatest Super Modified racers of all time. Scelzi was driving the Roth Motorsports entry.
Mitchell Faccinto outran Willie Croft to win the six lap Trophy Dash, putting the duo on the front row for the race. Scelzi started back in sixth. Croft charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag ahead of Faccinto and Chase Johnson. Johnson's run ended on lap eight, and Scelzi was up to third on the restart. Scelzi slipped past Faccinto for second on lap 14 and set his sights on Croft. On lap 23, Scelzi made his winning pass and led the remaining laps for the victory. Ryan Bernal and Colby Copeland also got past Croft. At the checkered flag, it was Scelzi winning, followed very closely by Bernal. Copeland finished third ahead of Croft, Bud Kaeding, DJ Netto, Shane Golobic, Geoff Ensign, Kurt Nelson and Sean Watts.
Scelzi bested the 20 car field in qualifying on the quarter-mile clay oval with a lap of 11.520. Johnson was second quick at 11.525. They ran three ten lap qualifying heats, and Bernal won the first race ahead of Scelzi. Netto out-dueled Johnson to win the second heat, and the final heat race win went to Watts ahead of Croft.
Troy Foulger won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Foulger recently won the Ed Parker Memorial race at Merced Speedway, and he is the point leader there in the Bill Bowers owned Modified. Without a point average, Foulger started back in 14th in the Main Event, and past Watsonville champion Nick DeCarlo led early ahead of Todd Hermosillo. Hermosillo put the moves on DeCarlo for the lead on lap nine, and the flying Foulger was already in third by lap 12. Foulger grabbed second from DeCarlo on lap 17, and he passed Hermosillo to take the lead on lap 19. Foulger led the rest of the way to win, followed by DeCarlo, Jim Pettit II, Austin Burke, Jeff Decker, Cody Burke, Robert Marsh, Hermosillo, Copeland and James Alaga. The 21 car field ran three eight lap heat races with wins going to Bobby Hogge IV, Brian Cass and DeCarlo.
David Prickett won the 15.lap Ocean Midgets Main Event. Prickett is the current point leader, and this was his third win of the season. Randi Pankratz took the lead at the start, and Prickett settled into second on lap five. Prickett hounded Pankratz until making the winning pass on lap 13. Prickett went on to victory, followed by Pankratz, Keonni Texeira, Jessica Swanson, Steve Hicks, Robert Carson, Tyler Skay and Brody Fuson. The eight lap heat race win went to Prickett.
DJ Keldsen drove the Lloyd Keldsen Special to a 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event win. The 2016 champion, Keldsen was second early behind Police N Pursuit regular Roy Iler. On lap nine, Keldsen took the lead from Iler, and recent Merced winner Shawn DePriest followed into second. Keldsen and DePriest exchanged the lead for two laps, but Keldsen was back in front for good on lap 13. Keldsen was the happy winner, followed by DePriest, Iler, Adam Sabedra, John Grilli, Kate Beardsley, Nicole Beardsley, Ryan McClelland, Bill Beardsley and Tony Gullo. The eight lap heat race wins went to DePriest and Keldsen.
Shawn Jones won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Jones is a past champion with the group, and he is also the reigning Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint champion. Jones started back in seventh and had third by lap two as Mark Biscardi led Ryan Amlen. Jones took second from Amlen on lap seven and put the moves on Biscardi to take the lead on lap 11. Jones led the rest of the way with Biscardi not too far behind in second. Amlen settled for third, followed by reigning champion Gene "Punky" Pires, Eric Weisler, Eddy Claesson, Trafton Chandler and Barry Waddell. The eight lap heat race win went to Biscardi.
Next Friday, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars return along with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Police N Pursuit. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Stone, Courtnier, Williams Win At Dixon Speedway
Dixon, CA...June 22...Austin Stone emerged with the win in the 23 lap 600 Wingless Micro Main Event after the leaders crashed Saturday night at Dixon Speedway. Point leader Blake McGourty started on the pole and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Brandon Shaw. Dan Magnaga started back in the seventh position and found his way into third by lap 14. Magnaga slipped past Shaw for second on lap 16. There was a battle at the front of the pack during the final five laps, but it got a bit too close for comfort as McGourty and Magnaga tangled for a lap 23 yellow flag. Eighth starter Stone had worked his way into third by lap 22, and he had the lead after the crash. The race was ended at that point due to time with Stone a happy winner ahead of James Ringo, who had been enjoying a good battle with third place finisher Dylan Bloomfield. Nate Wait settled for fourth, followed by Timothy Vaught, Harlee Aguilera, Ethan Lanfri, Brent McColloch, Mikie Clark and Chuck Patterson.
The Wingless Micros continue to draw a huge field of competitors. Shaw was the quickest of 32 drivers on the 1/5 mile dirt oval with a lap of 11.691. McGourty was second quick at 11.776. There were four ten lap heat races, and Shaw, Jeremy Chapman, Kyle Grissom and Stone won their respective races. Shaw won the ten lap Trophy Dash with McGourty not too far behind in second. Ringo earned his Main Event start by winning the B Main ahead of Louis Laspina, Clark, Taylor DeCarlo and Patterson.
Liam Williams won the 25 lap Super 600 Main Event. Williams and Brad Hannum shared the front row for the race, and the two battled for the lead early on. Williams led until Hannum made a lap nine pass to take over. However, the battle remained close. Williams made his winning move on lap 19. From there, Williams went on to victory as Hannum settled for second. Reigning champion Kyle Mentch finished third, followed by Ricky Sanders, Blake Bower, Cody Gray, Noah Key, Austin Torgerson, Colin Mackey and Blaine Baxter.
Bower was the fastest of 16 qualifiers with a lap of 10.709, beating the 10.756 of Hannum. They ran a pair of 10 lap heat races with Baxter and Hannum picking up the wins and Hannum also won the six lap Trophy Dash.
Devon Courtnier picked up the win in the 20 lap Restricted Micro Main Event. Courtnier started alongside Jade Avedisian and Avedisian led the early laps. Fourth starter Jeffrey Pahule had his sights set on another win and took the lead from Avedisian on lap 10. However, Courtnier slipped past Pahule a lap later to grab the lead. Courtnier led the second half of the race for the impressive win. Pahule settled for second, followed by Avedisian, Haley Wood, Ashton Torgerson, Matthew Tatoole, Izaak Sharp, Jordi Meese, Austin Wood and Emerson Vincent.
Courtnier had a lap of 11.225, beating the 11.322 effort of Pahule. The 20 competitors were split into a pair of 10 lap heat races with wins going to Avedisian and Torgerson. Courtnier won the six lap Trophy Dash.
Jet Barnes won the 20 lap Junior Sprint Car Main Event. This is the class with the youngest competitors at the speedway. Barnes had the pole and led all 20 laps in victory. Lucas Maulden started on the outside front row, but he briefly lost second to Brody Rubio on the second lap. Maulden had regained second a lap later would finish there, followed by Hayden Steps, McKayla Tatoole, Rubio, Logan Taylor and Cynric Vo. Barnes bested eight competitors with a quick lap of 13.100, and he continued his clean sweep effort by winning the 10 lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash.
Dixon would be hosting the first round of the California Speedweek Series on Tuesday, and the next regular point event will be on July 6th. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.
Facinto, Sarale, Timms Win Speedweek Opener
At Dixon Speedway
Dixon, CA...June 25...Sprint Car and Midget star Michael Faccinto won the 30 lap Super 600 Main Event at Dixon Speedway Tuesday night. This was the opening event of the California Speedweek Series that takes place between four different tracks. Other winners on the evening were Caden Sarale in the Wingless 600 Micro class and Ryan Timms in the Restricted 600 division. Car counts grew high enough that racers had to earn their way into the Main Events in all classes.
Watsonville Sprint Car regular Jake Andreotti led early in the 600 Super Main Event with Ben Worth an early second. Following a yellow flag on lap six, Faccinto raced past Worth for the second position. Two laps later, Faccinto put the moves on Andreotti to take the lead. It was Faccinto leading Andreotti and Worth at a lap 20 yellow flag. Jake Hagopian started further back in the pack and was running fourth at that point. He took third from Worth on the restart, and a lap 23 restart allowed Hagopian to charge by Andreotti for second. With Hagopian in close pursuit, Faccinto drove an impressive race to grab the victory. Mitchell Moles made a late move into third, followed by Worth, Caden Sarale, Andreotti, Brandon Carey, Corey Day, Dylan Bloomfield and Drake Galante.
A strong turnout of 44 competitors made this the biggest car count of the year for this class. Fast time honors went to Moles with an 11.396. Day was second quick at 11.628. They ran six 10 lap heat races, and the wins were earned by Brandon Carey, Logan Trevino, Nikko Panella, Liam Williams, Stan Yockey and Brian Gilbert. There were a pair of 15 lap B Mains to fill the remainder of the Main Event lineup. A bad heat race effort forced Day to win the first B Main ahead of Caden Sarale and Brody Fuson. Travis Labat outran Noah Key and Chase Randall to win the other B Main.
Caden Sarale trailed Troy Morris in the early laps of the 30 lap Wingless Micro Main Event, but it didn't take long before he moved into the lead. The race ran smoothly in the early going, but the later stages saw three yellow flags in the final five circuits. Sarale made no mistakes on any of the restarts and scored the victory ahead of Tyler Smith, USAC Wingless 360 Sprint Car star Tristan Guardino, Brandon Carey, Morris, Liam Williams, Mitchell Moles, Josh Hurley, Chase Hyland and Christian Hickman.
There were 36 competitors, and the 10 lap heat race wins were earned by Hickman, Carey, Smith and Dan Mognaga. The first of two 15 lap B Mains was won by Kelvin Lewis ahead of Danny Carroll and Hyland. The second B Main went to Moles in front of Norman Rose and Koen Shaw.
James Andrichuk was the early leader of the 25 lap Restricted Micro feature. Logan Trevino was an early second, but he surrendered the position to Dawson Faria on lap two. Faria put the moves on Andrichuk for the lead on lap 3, and Ryan Timms was in third on lap 4. Timms moved by Trevino for second on lap 16 and began to pressure Faria for the lead. A lap 17 pass gained Timms the lead. A yellow flag waved on lap 22, providing Faria one last shot at Timms. However, Timms led the restart and the remaining laps for the satisfying win. Faria settled for second, followed by Trevino, Lane Taylor, Andrichuck, Gage Garcia, Ashton Torgerson, Jade Avedisian, Preston Scheulen and Jeffrey Pahule.
There were 32 competitors for this race, and 10 lap heat race wins went to Andrichuck, Timms and Faria. The first 12 lap B Main win was earned by Brandt Twitty ahead of Mattix Salmon and Jordi Meece. The other B Main went to Joshua Rogers ahead of Pahule and Carson Borden.
The next Micro Sprint program at Dixon Speedway will happen on July 6th. For further information, go to www.dixonspeedway.net.
Worth, Hamilton, Johnson Win at Keller Auto Speedway
Hanford, CA...June 22...Tucker Worth won the 30 lap King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Keller Auto Speedway. This was his first win, and it was also his second Top 5 effort in the ten races held so far. Following a second in the Trophy Dash to Steven Kent, Worth had the outside front row starting position for the Main Event. Worth found his toughest competition from reigning IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car champion Grant Duinkerken. However, Worth would pick up the win with Duinkerken settling for second. Kaleb Montgomery was a solid third, followed by Landon Hurst, Cole Macedo, Steven Kent, Richard Vanderweerd, Cole Danell, Joey Ancona and Danny Faria.
Worth was the fastest of 18 qualifiers with a lap of 14.170, which beat the 14.208 of Montgomery. Duinkerken, Kent and Hurst won their respective eight lap heat races, and Kent won the six lap Trophy Dash.
Eric Hamilton won his first 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event. Hamilton and Larry Thompson shared the front row for the Main Event, and the duo ran to a 1-2 finish at the checkered flag. Past champion Troy Patee finished third, and point leader Chad Johnson charged from last starting to finish fourth in the 12 car field. Brock Hamilton settled for fifth, followed by Renn Bane, Rod Bane, Cody Johnson, Ron Hurt, and Tanner Lorenzo.
Bakersfield's Kevin Johnson won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The group is only making four appearances at the speedway this season. Johnson found himself starting last in the 10 car field, and he worked his way to the front of the pack. Johnson battled his way past early leader Garrett Jernagan for the impressive victory. Jernagan settled for second, followed by Jason Nation, Michael Johnson, Jason Pugh, Watsonville point leader Adriane Frost, Todd Carlock, Aaron Farrell, Jared Mounce and Jack Aguiar. Jernagan and Nation won the eight lap heat races.
Racing will return to Keller Auto Speedway on August 10th with a show that will feature the King Of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Western RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com.
Dixon Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Wingless 600 Micros
A Main
Austin Stone
James Ringo
Dylan Bloomfieid
Nate Wait
Timothy Vaught
Harlee Aguilera
Eathan Lanfri
Brett McColloch
Mikie Clark
Chuck Patterson
Blake McGourty
Dan Mognaga
Brandon Shaw
Kyle Grissom
Randy Sims
Austin Torgerson
Liam Williams
Tyson Davis
Jeremy Chapman
Louie Laspina
Taylor DeCarlo
Norman Harley Rose
B Main
James Ringo
Louie Laspina
Mikie Clark
Taylor DeCarlo
Chuck Patterson
Matt Santana
Clayton Harris
Ron Leonardini
Justin Adiego
Chuck Peevyhouse
Christian Harris
Leo Rubio
Tommy Carroll DNS
Ashton Torgerson DNS
Super 600
Liam Williams
Brad Hannum
Kyle Mentch
Ricky Sanders
Blake Bower
Cody Gray
Noah Key
Austin Torgerson
Colin Mackey
Blaine Baxter
Lee Brewer
Anthony Lewis
Jason Chapman
Hayden Saich
Frank Camacho II
Jessica McMannus DNS
Restricted
Devon Courtnier
Jeffrey Pahule
Jade Avedisian
Hailey Wood
Ashton Torgerson
Matthew Tatoole
Izaak Sharp
Jordi Meese
Austin Wood
Emerson Vincent
Becca Clark
Brandon Riveira
Austin Taborski
Rylee Whitehouse
Logan Calderwood
David Camacho
Tuesday Calderwood
Tallon Becker
Bryant Bell
Thomas Vo
Junior Sprints
Jet Barnes
Lucas Mauldin
Hayden Stepps
Makayla Tatoole
Brody Rubio
Logan Taylor
Cynric Vo
Peyton Whitehouse DNS
Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
IMCA Modifieds
Dylan Thornton
Robby Sawyer
Logan Drake
Brad Pounds
Steve Noland
Ryan Daves
Bryan Clark
Roger Holder
Michael Scruggs
Chett Reeves
Stephen Streeter
Charles Paul
Justin Schweitzer
IMCA Western RaceSaver 305 Sprints
Grant Champlin
Phil Heymon
Kyle Rosmussen
Micahel Pombo
Rick Bray
Brooklyn Holland
Rob Solomen
Mauro Simone
Brandon Emmett
Albert Pombo
Richard Weddle
Chris Ennis
Lance Jackson
Jacob Pacheco
Steve Wenzel
Mod Lites
Kaden Cochrun
Jakob Carey
John Piker
Roy Maynard
Tim Varney
Deven Pearson
J.D. Brown
Colby Lewis
Candi Varney
Kenny Cochrun
Kyleigh Forster
Tristan Kanthack
Anthony Balcazar
Sr. Mini Dwarf
Jett Yantis
Deegan Bledsaw
Eric Vences
Adam Nohl
Mallory Meyers
Carson Conway
Brayden Bell
Seth Hanson
Brooklyn Palmer
Jr. Mini Dwarf
Khloe Cotton
Bryson Martin
Wyatt Webb
Blake Watson
Jaden Mead
Jacob Chutuk
Paityn Ruiz
Tom Stephens III
Nathan Nohl
Paislee Hughes
Ventura Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
USAC Western States Midgets
Robbie Josett
Jake Swanson
Robert Dalby
Cody Swanson
Michael Faccinto
Cory Elliott
Shannon McQueen
David Prickett
Austin Liggett
Randi Pankratz
Gage Rucker
Jerome Rodella
C.J. Sarna
Troy Morriss lll
Mike Leach Jr
Marvin Mitchell
Ben Worth
Clayton Ruston
Dylan Ito
Bryan Drollinger
Ron Hazelton
John Dyson
Kyle Beilman
IMCA Modifieds
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Andrew Greiman
Donald Houghton
Jack Parker
Terry Hershberger
Anthony Merritt
Scott Olsen
Luis Espinoza
Western Midgets
Jessica Swanson
Greg Edenholm
Tim Foy
Tres Van Dyne
Blake Hendricks
Cody Swanson
25
David Prickett
Randi Pankratz
Mike Leach Sr
VRA Dwarf Cars
Trent Morley
Jason Horton
Nick Velasquez
Zach Curnel
Joe Barket
Tommy Velasquez
Jeff Brink
Bill Vint Jr
Tony Pellegrino
Tony Margott
Brad Curnel
Danny Valdez
Shane Linenberger
Tom Morley
Tommy Velasquez III
Senior Sprints
Bruce Douglass
Rick Hendrix
Wally Pankratz
Chris Meredith
Greg Andrews
Keller Auto Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
King of Thunder Winged Sprint Cars
Tucker Worth
Grant Duinkerken
Kaleb Montgomery
Landon Hurst
Cole Macedo
Steven Kent
Richard VanderWeerd
Cole Danell
Joey Ancona
Danny Faria Jr
Vaughn Schott
Craig Stidham
Zane Blanchard
Scott Parker
Brendan Warmerdam
Geoffrey Strole
Connor Danell
Luca Romanzzi
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Kevin Johnson
Garrett Jernagan
Jason Nation
Michael Johnson
Jason Pugh
Adriane Frost
Todd Carlock
Aaron Farrell
Jarrod Mounce
Jack Aguiar DNS
IMCA Stock Cars
Eric Hamilton
Larry Thompson
Troy Patee
Chad Johnson
Brock Hamilton
Renn Bane
Rod Bane
Cody Johnson
Ron Hurt
Tanner Lorenzo
James Elliott
Sonny Huber
Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Pombo/Sargent Classic with NARC/King of the West Sprint Cars
King of the West Sprints
Dominic Scelzi
Ryan Bernal
Colby Copeland
Willie Croft
Bud Kaeding
D.J. Netto
Shane Golobic
Geoff Ensign
Kurt Nelson
Sean Watts
Jason Statler
Kenny Allen
Jayson Bright
Matt Demartini
Chris Nelson
Mark Barroso
Billy Aton
Mitchell Faccinto
Chase Johnson
Nathan Rolfe
IMCA Modifieds
Troy Foulger
Nick DeCarlo
Jim Pettit II
Austin Burke
Jeff Decker
Cody Burke
Robert Marsh
Todd Hermosillo
Anthony Copeland
James Alaga
Jeremy Crebs
Gary Marsh
Bobby Hogge IV
JC Elrod
Dylan Thornton
Anthony Giuliani
Justin Yaeger
Jesse Burks
Tim Yaeger
Paul Guglielmoni
Brian Cass
Four Bangers
DJ Keldsen
Shawn DePriest
Roy Iler
Adam Sabedra
John Grilli
Kate Beardsley
Nicole Beardsley
Ryan McClelland
Bill Beardsley
Tony Gullo
Jeff Finsand
Ocean Midgets
David Prickett
Randi Pankratz
Steve Hix
Jessica Swanson
Keoni Texeira
Robert Carson
Tyler Slay
Brody Fuson
Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results June, 22, 2019
Wayne Albright Memorial BCRA Midget Lites
Dakota Albright
Bobby Michnowicz
Scott Kinney
Craig Holsted
Jacob Williams
Hunter Kinney
Jimmy Riddell
James Turnboll
Jeff Dyer
Doug Nunes
Terry Bergstro
Adam Teves
Steve Brown
Danika Jo Parker
Josef Ferolite
Brandon Leedy
Jeff Griffin
Chase Gaal
Hobby Stocks
Raul Rodriguez Sr
Shannon Nelson
Michael Shearer
Timmy Crews
Donnie Shearer
Allen Neal
Darren Thomas
John Hensley
Kristie Shearer
Austin VanHoff
Troy Tatum
Race Shelton
Steven Torres
California Sharp Mini Late Models
Riley Jeppesen
Timmy Crews
Jeremiah Enriquez
Logan Clay
Carson Guthrie
Valley Sportsman
Dwayne Short
Rick Elliott
Mike Freisen
Jeff West
Gary Hildebrand
Jerry Cecil
Eric Seely DNS
Stockton Dirt Track Unofficial Race Results June 22, 2019
Salute to First Responders
NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #98 Sean Watts
2 #88N D.J. Netto
3 #83 Dominic Scelzi
4 #0 Bud Kaeding
5 #00 Jason Statler
6 #21 Ryan Bernal
7 #6 Matt DeMartini
8 #17W Shane Golobic
9 #29 Willie Croft
10 #78 Mark Barroso
11 #88 Jonathan Allard
12 #7 Geoff Ensign
13 #45 Gary Paulson
14 #28 Nathan Rolfe
15 #76 Kenny Allen
16 #88E Tim Estenson
17 #24 Chase Johnson
18 #2R Richard Brace Jr
Hunt Wingless Spec Sprints
Results are not official
1 #14 Jake Morgan
2 #24 Shawn Jones
3 #73C Cody Fendley
4 #11B Alan Miranda
5 #92Z Scott Chapeta
6 #9 Shayna Sylvia
7 #39 Troy DeGaton
8 #7EJ Josh Young
9 #1JR Tim Sherman Jr
10 #2 Cody Spencer
11 #9V Paul Vandenberg
12 #551 Angelique Bell
13 #33 Matt Stewart
14 #28 Marcus Smith
15 #22 Boy Moniz
16 #51 Brian Sperry
17 #77S Ryon Siverling
18 #93 John McCann
19 #12 Jared Soares
Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 23, 2019
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints
Bradley Terrell
Cody Fendley
Geoff Ensign
Boy Moniz
Angelique Bell
Shayna Sylvia
Sparky Howard
Keith Calvino
Scott Chapeta
Ryon Siverling
Tony Bernard
Tom Brown
Jessica Walker
McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds
Troy Foulger
Jeff Thomas
Oreste Gonnella
Ray Trimble
Justin Yaeger
Michelle Paul
Jeremy Crebs
Mitch Machado
Joel Myers
Anthony Guiliani
Trevor Brady
Michael Paul Jr
Tim Yaeger
Gary Zwicker
Jay Learn
Lumberjacks Resaurant Super Stocks
Mitch Machado
Steve Studebaker
Matt While
Tim O'Hara
Shawn McCoy
Manny Avila
Sid Hess
Austin Ohlinger
Gary Adams
Dixon Speedway Unoffocial Race Results June 25 2019
California Speedweek
Super 600's
A Main
Results are not official
1 #19F Michael Faccinto
2 #14 Jake Hagopian
3 #01 Mitchel Moles
4 #10J Ben Worth
5 #24 Caden Sarale
6 #7P Jake Andreotti
7 #55 Brandon Carey
8 #41 Corey Day
9 #33 Dylan Bloomfield
10 #71 Drake Galante
11 #73 Nikko Panella
12 #51 Brody Fuson
13 #06 Blake Bower
14 #1 Travis Labat
15 #26AU Liam Williams
16 #73S Stan Yockey
17 #15 Cody Key
18 #4G Brian Gilbert
19 #12 Cody Christensen
20 #9 Chase Randall
21 #14K Noah Key
22 #13H Brad Hannum
B Main # 1
Results are not official
1 #41 Corey Day
2 #24 Caden Sarale
3 #51 Brody Fuson
4 #32A Colton Huelsmann
5 #22JR Keith Day
6 #7 Mason Keefer
7 #11 Jessica McManus
8 #39K Kaitlyn Hammer
9 #73E Ethan Lesser
10 #22R Ryley Mayer
11 #121 Caeden Steele
12 #44 Scotty Milan
13 #3 Todd Job
14 #1AZ Paul Martin
B Main # 2
Results are not official
1 #1 Travis Labat
2 #14K Noah Key
3 #9 Chase Randall
4 #83C Chance Crum
5 #21 Raio Salmon
6 #87 Ashlyn Rodriguez
7 #4 Garrett Twitty
8 #19 Colby Thornhill
9 #11C Colin Mackey
10 #88 Austin Torgerson
11 #14SF Blaine Baxter
12 #15H Dayna Hill
13 #27 Ron Singh
Wingless 600's
A Main
Results are not official
1 #32 Caden Sarale
2 #14 Tyler Smith
3 #10JR Tristan Guardino
4 #55 Brandon Carey
5 #07X Troy Morris
6 #26AU Liam Williams
7 #01 Mitchel Moles
8 #87F Josh Hurley
9 #5 Chase Hyland
10 #97W Christian Hickman
11 #CA88 Koen Shaw
12 #10 Johnathon Henry
13 #51 Brody Fuson
14 #7R Norman Rose
15 #75 Dan Mognaga
16 #87K Kelvin Lewis
17 #10J Ben Worth
18 #1C Danny Carroll
19 #3L Jimmy Leal
20 #3R Nick Robfogel
21 #17D James Ringo
22 #44X Austin Stone
B Main # 1
Results are not official
1 #87K Kelvin Lewis
2 #1C Danny Carroll
3 #5 Chase Hyland
4 #3E Bryce Eames
5 #161 Tyler Hester
6 #88 Austin Torgerson
7 #28K Kevin Carter
8 #4 Mikie Clark
9 #16 Brent Holfman
10 #7 Mason Keefer
B Main # 2
Results are not official
1 #01 Mitchel Moles
2 #7R Norman Rose
3 #CA88 Koen Shaw
4 #15 Randy Sim
5 #21S Brandon Sutton
6 #1AZ Paul Martin
7 #25X Christopher Robinson
8 #15C Tommy Carroll
9 #22M Brett McColloch
10 #26S Chris Silva
Restricted
A Main
Results are not official
1 #5T Ryan Timms
2 #12B Dawson Faria
3 #7T Logan Trevino
4 #4L Lane Taylor
5 #20 James Andrichu
6 #21 Gauge Garcia
7 #02 Ashton Torgerson
8 #14 Jade Avedisian
9 #00 Preston Scheulen
10 #44X Jeffery Pahule
11 #5R Ryan Rocha
12 #88 Reilee Phillips
13 #88T Mathew Tatoole
14 #61 Eli Bookout
15 #24 Jordi Meese
16 #72B Bryant Bell
17 #4B Brandt Twitty
18 #24S Izaak Sharp
19 #49 Jarrett Rogers
20 #72 Carson Borden
21 #5 Mattix Salmon
22 #17 Joshua Rogers
B Main #1
Results are not official
1 #4B Brandt Twitty
2 #5 Mattix Salmon
3 #24 Jordi Meese
4 #22M Rees Moran
5 #4 Becca Clark
6 #10 Emerson Vincent
7 #4A Logan Calderwood
8 #36 Tuesday Calderwood
B Main #2
Results are not official
1 #17 Joshua Rogers
2 #44X Jeffery Pahule
3 #72 Carson Borden
4 #22P Logan Penman
5 #7D Drew Mowr
6 #44T Austin Taborski
7 #51 Dalton Parreira
8 #77 Sage Bordenave
The Editor's Viewpoint
Once again, I'm trying to get material written for this column early. I have a few thoughts on my mind, so I'm going to dive in and try not to take too long. This was the week of the IMCA Wild West Speedweek Series. Things seem to be going well, and I think it's amazing that Oregon tracks and Siskiyou Golden Speedway have been able to partake in Speedweek for three different divisions.
The IMCA Modifieds are still sort of a juggernaut when it comes to divisions that can produce a car count. In fact, as the IMCA Sport Modified division has grown, drivers have been lobbying to be included right alongside the IMCA Modifieds in Speedweek. Truthfully, this is a winner. I've had mixed emotions from the start when it came to this division even coming into existence, but numbers dictate its value. You can't argue against that. You also can't argue that the Sport Modified drivers have a point. They should be included on Speedweek.
For the record, the Yreka and Medford tracks have not stood in the way of this. Jerry Schram owns three of the Oregon tracks, and he made a half-hearted attempt to make something happen a couple of years ago. Because he does own Cottage Grove and leases it out to somebody, one might think he could have asserted his authority and insisted on the Sport Modified division being included at the two Speedweek races there. This was not the case. So when Jerry had Sport Modifieds at Sunset and Willamette two years ago, he still had low support and claimed lack of interest.
It's very simple. Many Sport Modified drivers from California view Cottage Grove as one of those tracks you want to go to. If they are making a plan to come up to Oregon to run Speedweek, Cottage Grove must be included. When they found out it wasn't, drivers simply did not want to come to Oregon to run races in Yreka and Medford and then wait until Sunset and Willamette to race again. Heather cut the heart right out from this IMCA Sport Modified Speedweek concept. Until Cottage Grove decides that they want to play, IMCA Sport Modifieds as part of the Wild West Speedweek Series won't happen.
One might say you don't need that when you get a car count as big as the Modifieds have. That's true. You're going to get 30 plus at most of these races, so adding the Street Stocks or Hornets or whatever division may be good enough. On the other hand, stack that field with another 30 or 40 Sport Modifieds, and you don't need anything but Modifieds and Sport Modifieds at any event. It definitely would be a winning combination, but for this to work, every track must include Sport Modifieds alongside the Modifieds. Who knows if that will happen in 2020, but I doubt it.
I know Californians are wondering when there will be any kind of a Speedweek. I've mentioned Jim Allen wanting to put together a NARC/King Of The West Speedweek Series, and I wouldn't be surprised if it finally happened in 2020. However, there are so many tracks running IMCA Modifieds, that I could see a Modified Speedweek being very successful. California could even go further in having Modifieds and Sport Modifieds for an entire week, and I think it would work.
The real problem is getting the California promoters to sit down and agree to anything. I believe you could get them to have a picnic/meeting under clear and sunny skies, and half of the promoters would insist it was cloudy and rainy. So, until promoters are more willing to engage in a little bit of give-and-take, I don't expect to see an IMCA Modified Speedweek happen there. It's a shame, because I think it's a winner.
Cooperation is the name of the game, but it's often every man for himself. It's not necessarily that the promoters want to be cutthroat, but you have to take care of business at home before working together. I've watched the Outlaw Kart situation in Oregon. A lot of people are looking at it through rose colored glasses, insisting it's bigger than it really is. I sympathize with them, because they love the sport, but it's definitely on the downturn. Numbers don't lie. Part of the reason is the cost factor.
The Medford and Yreka tracks have a base of their own, but they also fight over cars that tend to travel up and down the road. Presently, there are Medford racers who will go to Yreka anytime they have to choose. The Yreka Kart promoter has decided that despite the fact that Medford put their schedule out first, it would be cool to go ahead and book on top of most of those dates. Kind of a "chicken dropping" move in my opinion, but again, he's looking out for himself. If looking out for himself means he can stick it to the other guy, go for it, I guess.
The Medford track has decided that because there aren't enough vehicles in the pits, Flat Track Motorcycles, Quads and Trikes need to be added to the program. Something remarkable seems to be happening. In just three races, the Trikes, Quads and Motorcycles are now producing a count that matches what the Karts were bringing before these other vehicles were even added to the program. Plus, interest continues to grow. I would not suggest the program is there just yet, because I've learned that just when you think it is, something slaps you in the face and shows you that it isn't.
The other thing is I'm just a little bit disappointed with some of the teams who don't want to support the track in their own backyard. They all have their, "yeah, but" reasons for not coming. That's fine. It's not helping, but it's fine. The show continues to go on, and there are no plans to end it. It's just disappointing that the racers seem to insist that everything be given to them. Even when conditions have been met, they come up with other reasons not to support. But then again, that's the mentality of some racers. Utopia Speedway is calling their name. Good luck finding the place that gives you 100% of what you want. In either case, when they decide the track is worthy of their attention, the gates will still be opening to run. But you never know what the program will be beyond 2019 either.
For my part, I would hope the Kart racers regroup and grow this program, but there are issues that need to be addressed. It's not just about the track and its surroundings and things that people feel need to be improved upon. Heck, I could add the need for a Press Box as the perch I announce from is not very comfortable. When it's windy, stuff starts blowing off. All I do is adapt, say it's not perfect and I do what I can there.
One of the things they're going to have to look at is the cost factor and how it's affecting the show. I know that one of the people who wanted to come in there and play promoter thought that if they threw more money at the 500 Open class, it would get Karts. The only question is, where is the Money Fairy to grant you the money to pay them? There's not a lot of money coming in through the gates, so you work with the resources you have. When count goes up, more money can be spent, but when you've got somebody investing money to keep the gates open, they're not likely to throw a bunch of money at it until they see results. Results seem to be happening, but the biggest reason isn't because more Karts are coming, but rather because of Motorcycles, Trikes and Quads.
It's probably worth looking into the cost factor and seeing how that might be affecting divisions, particularly the 500 and 250 classes. And if something can be done to make things less expensive, maybe that should be pursued? I know some will point to what the national trend is, but if a local trend will get more locals out there, that's the real trend that matters. On the other hand, if people are waiting for this or that to happen, then they might be waiting a while. Again, go find Utopia Speedway. When you find it, let me know. I've been looking my whole life, and I still haven't found it.
But I have found speedways that mean a lot to me. Coming up to Medford, I learned about the history and how much it matters. The great tradition that goes back to the old Posse Grounds Speedway and the track in Ashland. As I prepared for my trip to a new home, I knew that one of the things that I'd like to see happen at Southern Oregon Speedway was the introduction of a Hall of Fame. That and the R Charles Snyder Salute were things that I lobbied for from the moment I set foot on the ground in Oregon.
You might ask, why would I do that. I didn't know Charles. I didn't know the greats of the past or even really watch them race. But you know what? The people up here did. The people up here cared. I could tell from the things I read before coming up here how much Charles meant to everyone. And I could certainly tell how much those good old days meant to the people who lived through them. So, honoring history mattered. The two people I lobbied for to be inducted into the Hall of Fame we're Bruce Rayburn and Jimmy Walker. I knew Bruce's reputation down in Antioch, and I'm happy to say he was inducted last year.
Personally, I felt Jimmy Walker should have been put in right alongside Dave Duste Sr. Duste and Walker were having their glory days at about the same time, but the numbers that Walker put up were just as impressive as those that Dave put up. Dave certainly belongs, but so does Jimmy, and I hope that Jimmy gets put in this year. You could make a case for his father Jim, who just passed away this year. People like Markey James, Jay McCleary, John Arnberg, Rick Singler, Tom Wyatt and the list goes on and on. The cool thing is that now that the Hall of Fame has been established, they will get in.
There's that whole behind the scenes thing that talks about people who didn't race but played a role in making it happen. Cecil James comes to mind. Markey James is a legend, but his father Cecil did many great things as well. He promoted the old Posse Grounds track in the very early days and also won some big races there. So, you've got promoter/driver credentials there. However, two other names I would suggest might be controversial to some.
I would suggest that the time will come when Dennis Huth and John Skinner need to be considered. I know Dennis seemed to promote controversy. When the racers stood up and boycotted or complained, he took a hard line and did it his way. He also put a lot of the burden on Peggy Henry, who was inducted in our first Hall of Fame ceremony back in 2017. Dennis was at the helm and did keep things going until he read the tea leaves and knew what was going to happen.
People don't remember that Dennis was actually looking at other property to build a race track. He didn't want to go to the Jackson County Parks, but rather to purchase property of his own and build the track there. He knew the Posse Grounds was on borrowed time, and only a few years after he left, that track closed. He was forward-thinking enough to try to save the racers the loss of seven years of racing. When the track finally closed in 1989, a track wasn't open until 1996. Someday, Dennis will get in.
So too should the man who finished building Southern Oregon Speedway, John Skinner. One can argue the last 10 years that John ran the track were not good. I'm not going to argue against that. One could also argue there might not be a track to argue about at all if it wasn't for John Skinner. Maybe it was the fact that people were starving for racing that saw the numbers go through the roof in both the grandstands and the pits, but the first ten years of Southern Oregon Speedway were golden.
By no means was John Skinner a perfect man. He had his flaws, and people will always point those out. But without him believing in racing in Medford enough to fight to get this track built, who knows what would have happened. And even if a track would have been open, what sort of run might it have had? John was the one who wrote the checks and was willing to pay big money for certain big events that came through the years. While his name may not get a lot of love these days, eventually he will be inducted. Personally, I wouldn't stand against that.
Because of what I witnessed Curt and Denny Deatherage doing at Cottage Grove Speedway with Historical Night and their assistance in helping us establish a Southern Oregon Racing Hall of Fame, I knew the way to finally make something happen that was near and dear to me. I had been talking about an Antioch Speedway Hall of Fame going back to the 1990s, and submitted a list to the promoter in 1999 of people who could be inducted. I was willing to do all of the legwork and had people willing to sponsor. All I needed was approval. Nothing ever happened. No approval, and I didn't feel the time was right.
What makes me truly sad about that was the fact that some of the people on the list passed away by the time we finally got around to making something happen last year. I truly would have liked those people to receive their honors while they were there to appreciate it. They needed to know that people knew and respected their contributions to making Antioch Speedway such a special place to race.
What I don't want is the Antioch Speedway Hall of Fame to become my Hall of Fame. It is in the sense that a Hall of Fame is happening that I want to see, but it's the racers' and the fans' Hall of Fame. All I did was coordinate things and make it happen. It was no longer a concept, but it was a reality. We presented awards, had display boards at the track for people to look at with newspaper clippings of the history of that track, and much buzz was generated.
I have spoken with people about creating a committee to select Hall of Fame inductees. I also feel the committee is important in determining just what direction the Hall of Fame will take. Do you have ceremonies away from the track? Maybe a pre-race picnic? Getting a building of some sort the night before? Do you create a racer's Alumni Association? What exactly does everybody want from the Hall of Fame? It's their Hall of Fame, and I'm simply here trying to get it started from afar.
Because I wasn't down on the scene as I thought I might be this year, I have just now begun the process of selecting the next group to be inducted at the end of the season. It's my intention to be down there either on September 21st or in October to make the presentations myself. You don't have a Hall of Fame until you have a list, which is what I've been working on. I've taken input and ideas from several people who have been around a long time. Once the list has been created, it's a matter of making sure the awards can be afforded and getting me down there. The second part isn't as important, and I'll tell you why. If the awards can be purchased, and if I can't be there, somebody else can handle the MC duties and make this happen. The display boards are already down there and just need to be hung up for the fans to once again enjoy those clippings.
Even if I am able to be down there, which I hope is the case, I don't want to be the one spearheading the entire thing in 2020. By then, there needs to be a committee and some help towards doing this thing. I want a Hall of Fame that is functional enough that if for some reason I'm no longer involved, it will continue on. I would hope to always be available for consulting and offering my insights, but the community-at-large would need to take it over.
I simply knew that if we haggled over things, it wouldn't happen. Once I knew I was in a position to get down there to do it last year, I didn't want to have long discussions over procedures and how people are nominated. I felt it very important that something happen now, and I think most people would agree that the people who were inducted belong there. It simply had to happen to make it a thing. Otherwise, there might be a lot of talk about something in the future, but the future might never come.
This was never about me. This was about the racers and that race track. I strongly feel that the greats need to be honored for making the sport so special down there, and I also believe that by honoring the greats and acknowledging the history, you help the current track. People start to learn how long that place has been around and some of the history surrounding the place. The stronger the ties are between that race track and the community, the better its chances for survival into the future. That's my opinion anyway.
Looking at the clock, I see I need to shut my mouth and go to bed. There is probably more I could say after watching tomorrow's races, but I'm going to try to keep this column limited to what I've already written. I can always write more next time. Until then...
